Before you ask...

THE LEAOTI STANDARD came out again yesterday, Wednesday, in Leoti. I want and need to clarify something right away.

First of all, I have a sister and friends on the current City Council. I have friends who work in our City of Leoti Department. So, with whatever friction there is, I am caught right where most of us do not savor being--right in the middle.

I have been asked which side I favor. I have told them just what I am telling you now. I honestly do not have any opinion on the matter. Now, you are probably asking "why not". Here is my explanation:

First of all, for most of the time, each and every one of us is invited to attend the regular City Council meetings. In my case, I have attended one about 2 or 3 years ago when I found that I was no longer able to keep my mouth shut about the poorly conditioned roads in the northern portion of town where my family and I live. I greatly recommend that anytime you feel inclined to attend these meetings, DO IT! That is one of our rights as American citizens.

Secondly, at one time, I had been asked to run for City Council. I ran. I lost. Today, I am very thankful that I lost by a few votes. There is absolutely NO way that I could handle all of the strife that goes along with any politics.

Thirdly, I have been asked what my sister has told me about the current situation. It is easy to sum up that information in just one small 4-lettered word, NONE. That is right. Lori has shared none of that information, good or bad, with me or anyone else in our family. As soon as a person is elected to City Council, he/she takes an oath not to discuss the private information with anyone. I am very proud of Lori for keeping all of this under her hat.

I have heard various stuff that some of the employees have said around town. I guess that they have that right. The result is that at least one person has taken much issue with it, has gone to a City Council meeting to voice his concerns and has printed his beliefs on the matter on practically a full page of the THE STANDARD. Of course, that is also a right.

I learned a major lesson awhile back when I gave my opinions on a public intety here. I will not do it this time. Too many people were hurt when I did give my opinion and allow others to state their opinions. I won't do it again.

My advice to you is to use your heads on this one before you speak. Please try to see both sides of the story. Politics are a no win situation to be in. At no time, does everyone agree with you. My all-time favorite politician is and always will be, Abraham Lincoln. Throughout his political career, he made some poor decisions. But, for the most part, he was outstanding. His major contribution in his political life was everything that he did to put a total and forever stop to the slavehood in the United States. Because of that, he gave the supreme sacrifice--his life.

VLE-B